How to Teach the Gospel of Grace

I know a church where the pastor preached a series of sermons simply titled “Jesus.” For several weeks he expounded on the character of Christ and what he has done for us. It was brilliant. It was heavenly.

But then he stopped. The series came to an end and the pastor began a new series. I don’t remember what it was except that it wasn’t about Jesus, it wasn’t brilliant, and it wasn’t heavenly.

The single greatest need in the world today, is for a revelation of the love of our heavenly Father and that love is revealed in Jesus Christ. The single greatest tragedy in the world today, is that those who are called to reveal the gospel, reveal something other than the good news of Jesus.

I know this because I used to do it. As a pastor I preached in reaction to needs and problems and current events. No more. Never again. Now I preach in reaction to Christ alone, for he is the Answer to all of our needs and problems. He is the one who gives Meaning to all of life’s events.

How to preach the gospel of grace

By pointing to Jesus; by getting people to lift their eyes off their sin and hurt and fix their eyes on Jesus our Deliverer and Healer.

Please understand I am not saying causes are bad or that we should have no investment in them. I’m simply saying they are subsidiary to the gospel that we have been called to preach. Jesus trumps everything. He is the good news the poor need to hear. He is the sight to the blind and the freedom for the captive. He is our long-awaited year of the Lord’s favor (Luke 4:18-19).

When Paul went to Corinth he had no agenda and no message other than to preach “Christ crucified” (1 Cor. 1:23). We take our lead from him.

Need help?

“Paul, how do I preach the gospel of grace?”

Preaching the gospel is simple – it’s just telling people about Jesus. But if you need a little more inspiration – maybe you’re looking for a conversation starter or a ten-week series outline – check out E2R’s new “Teaching Resources” page. It’s packed with useful stuff.

I can’t tell you how much I agree with this!
The Gospel is simple but inexhaustible. The preacher’s job however is to TRY to exhaust it not to just preach through the bible without joing the dots that reveal Jesus.
When that happens there be power!

Im a grace teacher of 40 yrs…and while I agree with most of what you say I’m not 100% behind you. (Like foolish arguments of geneology that are of no benifit) There are things that christians need to know for everyday life and for historical understanding and context. When evangilising sure, but to the flock in the fold there is a bit more responsibility a pastor has. Sure leviticus is boring but its there for a reason…and not all the new testement focused on jesus and grace…it taught church structure and day to day life…and while I can teach grace in revelation …well…nuff said…but I’m sure you will disagree…

I’m not sure what I’m supposed to disagree with here Rob. Yes, in the hands of a graceless preacher Leviticus can be boring, but in the hands of a good preacher – one who understands that the Bible is not about us but Jesus – Leviticus can be thrilling!

Amen! Many in the church are so frustrated with trying to please a Jesus they can never satisfy. Many outside the church don’t want a Jesus they can never satisfy. What an opportunity and privilege we have to introduce them to the real Jesus.

The OT is full of grace teachings and full of Jesus, you cant teach the new w/o the old…because the old is what the new fulfills…if you feel this way…you’ve been tought the OT wrong…not even Paul can teach without using OT…it’s why Jesus is…

I think as Paul ,being one schooled in the OT and has the OT pointed clearly to Christ , I absolutly think that he preached the OT andcthe grace that is in it…you cant teach Jesus and the proof of who he is without the OT , after decades of being a minister this is very clear and is common knowledge even to one as you. He preached Law and how it was pointing us to Christ. Son…the OT is full of grace and Jesus…ask God to show you… (:

The greatest gift God will give you is to see his Son in every word of scripture, it will build your faith to the point where you know and do not just believe. He is the living word. Knowledge is relationship.

Thanks for great articles. 31 years in ministry but last 10 years in the wonderful grace message of Christ in us. Your articles bless and help me a lot in my preparations. Love this website and your writings. Stephen from RSA

Hi Paul I’m new to the site and I can’t seem to find an appropriate thread to ask a question which I would love I have answered. I’m starting to have a re awakening of grace and realise that a lot of what I’ve been taught over the last years is wrong and needs grace gospel correction…

Hi Luke, welcome! The best person to answer your question is the Holy Spirit. I’m not trying to palm you off by saying that – I firmly believe it. But it would be hypocritical of me to pretend teachers and wise friends aren’t also helpful, so please check out a post entitled “8 ways to get your grace questions answered.”

Paul, I would like your opinion about the Catholic church beliefs. Do you think that the church believes in salvation through works? { examples: doing confirmation, the rosary prayers to Mary, confessing to a priest, ect..} My husband’s family is Catholic but I am not. We have had disagreements about his beliefs. I believe that no man can come to the Father except through Jesus. I have not seen confirmation mentioned in the bible or prayers to Mary. What scriptures in the bible discuss these beliefs?

Thank you very much,your articles are helping me a lot as I am planting a church in Spain,it is a real blessing to me and for the congregation here near Madrid teaching the Grace,not a philosophy or a religion,but the Grace,simple and powerful,thank you for all your material posted,colud leave a reply to this message as I want to participate in a way in what you are doing,I mean financial,like buy some books(eBooks for ex),thank you once again.

Thanks Paul for the reminder today. We need to be continually reminded that Jesus is the centre of our all. After all, he is our all, he not only surrounds us , but also is with us 24/7 and in us. I will never forget the words spoken 40 years ago after I was baptised, as I stood near a small stream in the far north of NZ, that is; always remember that whatever is preached, whoever is preaching, whatever is taught, that it must be about Jesus, everything else is peripheral.

Amen to this. As a pastor for the past 11 years I have come to see how hard it it is to keep the main thing the main thing – the all sufficiency of Jesus Christ, risen and alive with us today, moment by moment. There is always another agenda or cause coming up to shift the focus away from Christ.

Thank you for being a pastor of the gospel!!
I can’t imagine the battles you face when you stand stong on the grace message among your peers.
Being a servant shepherd is much more challenging than being a ‘rule over” authority figure.

I wish to have my own written copy of all the teachings about the doctrine of grace, a biblical doctrine sincerely embraced by pbc congregations. I hope anyone from among the pbc could help and share if you have. Thanks in advance for those who would.

I thought to be a disciple was to be a “learner”..not a religious hypocrite. I thought God was LOVE not HATE. Oh yes…the people in ACTS were called CHRISTIANS…by the pagans around them..they did not call themselves that…John 3:16…(the WORLD).as PAUL. Said. oh what a wretched man I am…but I am so glad HE LOVES ME…